Men who sit and watch more than four hours of television every day could be increasing their chances of getting bowel cancer, a study claims.

The report, published in the British Journal of Cancer, investigated a link between sitting or lying down and an increased risk of bowel cancer.

The study, which analysed data from more than 500,000 men and women, found men who spend less time sat down in front of the TV have a lower chance of developing bowel cancer later in life.

It claims men who watch under an hour of programmes every day are 35% less likely to develop the disease compared to those who watch for four hours a day.

After six years, 2,391 of those studied had been diagnosed with bowel cancer.

Researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), Imperial College London and the University of Oxford analysed the data and found a link between inactive behaviour and bowel cancer, while increased physical activity was also associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer for men.

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Dr Neil Murphy, lead researcher based at the IARC in France, said: “Previous research suggests that watching TV may be associated with other behaviours, such as smoking, drinking and snacking more, and we know that these things can increase the risk of bowel cancer. Being sedentary is also associated with weight gain and greater body fat.

“Excess body fat may influence the blood levels of hormones and other chemicals which affect the way our cells grow, and can increase bowel cancer risk.”

Spending hours on the sofa has been linked to an increased bowel cancer risk (Image: Getty Images)

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in UK men, while 41,800 people were diagnosed with it in 2015.

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“The study didn’t look at this directly, but it could be because men might smoke, drink and eat more unhealthily than women while watching TV.

“We’ll need further research to answer the questions this study raises. What we do know is that keeping a healthy weight, cutting back on alcohol, being physically active and eating a diet rich in fruit and vegetables are known to cut your risk of bowel cancer.”

Dr Lisa Wilde, director of research and external affairs at Bowel Cancer UK and Beating Bowel Cancer, added: “This study adds to the substantial evidence that bowel cancer could be prevented by leading a healthier, more active lifestyle.”